Gender Specific Addictions Counselor - YWCA Hamilton

The philosophy of this program is to work collaboratively in client-directed ways to reduce substance use related harms and enhance well-being for women and gender-diverse people who use substances.

The Addictions Counselor, focused on gender and substance use will design and deliver gender responsive therapeutic services to women accessing the Housing Programs through YWCA Hamilton. This will include individual counselling and psychoeducation/therapeutic group programming that address the intersection of substance use and gender-based violence/trauma, mental health, pregnancy and parenting, health equity and issues of housing and homelessness. The Addictions Counsellor will also provide gender-specific harm reduction supports that aim to improve the quality of life and health of clients.

The ideal candidate will understand the gendered impacts and consequences of substance use and view a continuum of care for women and gender diverse people who use drugs, as inclusive of harm reduction and recovery orientated approaches.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

· Work collaboratively to build internal processes for client intake, assessment and data collection;
· Provide one-to-one therapeutic counselling to women and gender-diverse people who use drugs from a trauma-informed perspective;
· Develop and implement flexible low-barrier gender-specific therapeutic group interventions tailored to the unique needs of women and gender diverse people who use drugs;
· Work collaboratively with staff and leadership from across the YWCA Hamilton to identify substance use related risks, develop wrap-around care plans and enhance safety for women and gender diverse people who use drugs;
· Support women and gender-diverse people in making and mobilizing plans towards recovery, including accessing withdrawal management services, residential treatment services, culturally relevant recovery supports;
· Develop and deliver therapeutic services intentionally designed for pregnant and parenting women and gender diverse people who are impacted by substance use; 
· Provide referrals and develop into programs, supports and services that enhance wellness and recovery;
· Keeps records on day-to-day happenings, enter client information/daily events into an electronic data information system for reports and statistics;
· Apply knowledge of trauma and the dynamics of gender-based violence to develop and implement effective support strategies including safety plans;
· Works within general rules, procedures and standards, referring issues or problems to supervisor;
· Ability to work with interpreters;
· Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive and personal client, employee and contract information;
· Represents the YWCA Hamilton and always maintains outstanding public relations skills and a professional image in the community; 
· Nurtures and forms meaningful internal and external working relationships and partnerships;
· Works safely, reports all workplace hazards and follows all YWCA Hamilton Health and Safety policies and procedures;
· Participate and provide mandatory organizational and departmental trainings and meetings.
· Stays current on emerging trends, leading practices and legislation; 
· Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;
· Perform other duties as required.